Ecotourism offers potential for conservation and livelihoods in Egypt’s Lake Nasser
Recognized as an Important Bird Area (IBA), Lake Nasser serves as a crucial stopover and wintering site for numerous migratory birds.
By Mohamed Hussein
Lake Nasser, formed by the construction of the Aswan High Dam in the 1960s, is one of the world’s largest man-made lakes. Its extensive shorelines, characterized by shallow creeks and beaches, create ideal habitats for a diverse array of bird species. Recognized as an Important Bird Area (IBA), Lake Nasser serves as a crucial stopover and wintering site for numerous migratory birds, such as the Common Teal (Anas Crecca) , Northern Pintail (Anas Acuta), Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), Great White pelican (Pelecanus onocrotalus), and the Eurasian Wigeon (Mareca Penelope) traversing the Sahara Desert. Notably, it is one of the last remaining habitats for the Nile crocodile, a species experiencing a significant population decline.
Historically, Lake Nasser has attracted bird hunters, particularly from Malta, contributing to the local economy through hunting tourism. However, unsustainable hunting practices have posed significant threats to bird populations. The vast size and remote location of the lake have made effective monitoring of hunting activities challenging, with regulation primarily occurring at lake entrance points.
In response to declining bird numbers, the Egyptian government implemented a ban on bird hunting in 2023. In August 2023, Nature Conservation Egypt (NCE) actively engaged with the Ministry of Environment to strengthen hunting regulations and protect key biodiversity areas.
NCE organized three meetings with ministry officials to discuss updates on the new hunting decree, ensuring that conservation priorities were integrated into national policies. Additionally, NCE participated in a workshop in Cairo alongside hunters’ groups, local authorities, and ministry representatives to contribute to the drafting of the annual hunting decree. These efforts culminated in a significant conservation milestone the successful ban on hunting at Lake Nasser for the 2023–2024 season.
Looking ahead, NCE remains committed to addressing hunting practices across Egypt, including its participation in a national workshop with the Ministry of Environment to shape the 2025 hunting decree. While this measure aims to protect avian species, it has adversely affected local livelihoods, especially among hunting tour operators, safari boat owners, and fishermen who previously relied on hunting-related income. Efforts are now underway to promote ecotourism, such as birdwatching, as a sustainable alternative to hunting, encouraging former hunting guides to become custodians of biodiversity.
Despite these conservation efforts, Lake Nasser faces additional environmental challenges. The dam’s interruption of natural sediment flow has decreased nutrient levels downstream, affecting agriculture and fisheries. Furthermore, the lake’s ecosystem is threatened by pollution, climate change impacts, and the introduction of invasive species, all of which contribute to biodiversity degradation.
“Balancing ecological preservation with the economic needs of local communities remains a complex issue. There is a need to develop sustainable initiatives which protect Lake Nasser’s unique biodiversity while supporting the livelihoods of those who depend on its resources”, notes Haitham Mossad, NCE’s Conservation Director
NCE’s work in Lake Nasser
In 2024, Nature Conservation Egypt (NCE) initiated the 30-week-long project funded by BirdLife “Promoting Ecotourism as a Sustainable Alternative Income Generating Activity for Local Hunting Tour Operators at Lake Nasser” to address the economic challenges faced by local communities following the government’s hunting ban. The project aims to transition former hunting-dependent livelihoods towards sustainable ecotourism, particularly birdwatching, capitalizing on Lake Nasser’s rich avian biodiversity.
A key component of the project involves capacity building for local communities from Aswan. This includes training in waterbird identification and survey techniques, enabling former hunting guides and boat operators to become knowledgeable birdwatching guides. Additionally, the project conducts waterbird winter counts in Lake Nasser, contributing to avian conservation efforts and providing practical experience for participants.
Collaboration with local communities and organizations is central to the project’s success. NCE works closely with local boat owners, tour operators, and the Southern Protectorates of Egypt to promote birdwatching as a viable alternative to hunting. By involving former hunting guides in ecotourism activities, the project not only provides them with sustainable income but also fosters a sense of stewardship towards the lake’s biodiversity. This collaborative approach ensures that conservation efforts are aligned with the economic needs of the local population, promoting long-term sustainability.
The project has had a tangible impact on both local communities and conservation efforts at Lake Nasser. Equipping local guides with bird identification skills and survey techniques has enabled former hunting operators to transition into sustainable ecotourism activities. A total of 24 individuals, including tourism guides, tour operators, teachers, law enforcement personnel, and students, have received capacity-building training. Additionally, the project has directly supported and provided alternative income for three local tour operators, who previously relied on hunting tourism, ensuring economic stability while promoting conservation.
One of the major contributions of the project has been the establishment of three startup birdwatching initiatives, offering new opportunities for local entrepreneurs in the ecotourism sector. Furthermore, the project has strengthened conservation efforts through a 10-day waterbird survey in January 2025, collecting critical data on migratory and resident bird populations. These efforts contribute to long-term monitoring and conservation planning, ensuring that Lake Nasser remains a vital stopover and wintering site for migratory birds. By aligning economic sustainability with conservation goals, the project has set a precedent for how ecotourism can be a viable and effective alternative to unsustainable hunting practices.
“As a passionate birder, the training and bird count at Lake Nasser felt like the trip of my dreams. I gained invaluable knowledge about bird identification, survey techniques, and habitat assessment. I also witnessed firsthand the support provided to the local community to help sustain their livelihoods after the hunting ban. This training was a significant boost for my career as a birding guide—learning advanced techniques, exploring new areas, and observing rare species will greatly help me grow as a professional birding guide in Aswan”, says Ismael Khalifa, a local tour operator.
In the future, the project will continue collaborating with other organizations, including government bodies and bird enthusiasts to strengthen work on sustainable alternative income for boat owners and tour operators by maintaining capacity-building training on bird identification and survey skills, boosting birdwatching tourism activities in Lake Nasser, promoting citizen science, and iv) increasing local awareness on Lake Nasser’s significance for avian species. This work will be done in collaboration with other organisations, government bodies, and bird enthusiasts.
“The appreciation shown by local tour operators and other beneficiaries of the project is a strong indicator of our success. It also drives us to continue working toward sustainable livelihoods at Lake Nasser—a site that was once a major hunting ground where thousands of birds were killed annually”, concludes Mossad.
There is a need to develop sustainable initiatives which protect Lake Nasser’s unique biodiversity while supporting the livelihoods of those who depend on its resources. Haitham Mossad, NCE’s Conservation Director
As a passionate birder, the training and bird count at Lake Nasser felt like the trip of my dreams. I gained invaluable knowledge about bird identification, survey techniques, and habitat assessment. Ismael Khalifa, a local tour operator.